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Mpuuga unveils new political alliance to fill ‘NUP void’, oust Museveni.
The former Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP), Mathias Mpuuga on Friday launched a new political formation which, according to him, is meant to fill the void created by his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP) which is in a “deep slumber.”
“The leading opposition party [in Uganda] is in a deep slumber. How can that happen! For the very first time, there’s nothing going on. The last time I checked, the leader of that group (Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine) was planning a big concert. That’s the plan. The plan is lack of a plan. I want to believe that it’s deliberate,” Mr Mpuuga said on Friday.
The pressure group, Democratic Alliance (DA), comprising members of DP Bloc and former MPs will field candidates, including a presidential contender in the coming 2026 general election, according to the Nyendo Mukungwe MP who was suspended as NUP deputy president for central Uganda following his controversial Shs500 million service award from Parliament.
“Today we’re here to announce the birth of the Democratic Alliance…Our first objective is to help Ugandans achieve the long-awaited political leadership change. The present opposition has been consumed by divisive politics rather than focusing on what matters most – real transformation for Ugandans. That will not be the case with the Democratic Alliance,” Mr Mpuuga said during the pressure group’s launch at Malibu Gardens in Namirembe-Bakuli, Kampala.
He urged youth to channel their energies toward productive ventures rather than engaging in social media misuse attacking each other.
“Social media should be a tool for growth and positive influence, not a platform for insults and hate,” Mr Mpuuga said after penning an agreement with musician, Mr Patrick Mulwana, better known as Alien Skin who was recently granted bail after spending days on remand on charges of assaulting Nsambya Hospital staff, theft of an iPhone 15 pro and Shs480,000.
Alien Skin signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mpuuga, pledging to work with him and his group in the coming general elections.
One of the proponents of the new alliance, Abed Bwanika, a former presidential contender currently serving as Kimanya-Kabonero MP told hundreds of supporters who gathered to witness the unveiling of the political formation that he disagreed with the NUP leadership over homosexuality.
“I will not support gay people or homosexuality. I don’t care whether you re-elect me as MP or not but I’ll never support Kyagulanyi’s group or homosexuality… NUP didn’t bring me into the struggle [to liberate Ugandans]. Mr Kyagulanyi found me in the struggle. I will be in the struggle until I get what I think will help Ugandans,” Mr Bwanika, a member of NUP said.
Other speakers included political activists like Samuel Lubega Mukaaku, Michael Mabike, ex-Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante, who, like Mpuuga and Bwanika used the platform to slam NUP leadership.
The event also took a lighter, yet pointed tone when Mr Mpuuga criticized a political figure who had reportedly likened himself to Uganda’s late former Prime Minister Ben Kiwanuka.
“I saw someone recently saying that when he looks at himself, he sees Ben Kiwanuka. What an insult!” Mpuuga exclaimed, adding that the DA will not tolerate selfish personal interests but will instead stay focused on the collective goal of political transformation.
The proponents of DA said its launch sparked hope among Ugandans seeking credible alternatives to the current political framework.
“We know where we are going, and it is time for Ugandans to rise above the politics of self-interest and embrace genuine change.”
“Many of you have been waiting to hear what next for Mpuuga. This is it. One single person (President Museveni) has been at the helm of the state for 40 years. I’m 49 years old. He came to power when I was in primary school. It’s a shame! I’m here to invite you to join me in the struggle for a better country. We have lost a lot of time fighting each other, backbiting each other, instead of fighting a common enemy,” Mr Mpuuga said.
(monitor)